Magnetic selection apparatus



Sept. 4, 1962 c. B. HEBELER 3,052,352

MAGNETIC SELECTION APPARATUS Original Filed Nov. 4, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet1 MAGNETIC CHUTE S ELE CTOR }FOR INTERCONNECTION CHARACTER DEVICETRANSDUCER (READ HEAD) INVENTOR.

CHARLES B HEBELER AGENT Sept. 4, 1962 c. a. HEBELER MAGNETIC SELECTIONAPPARATUS Original Filed Nov. 4, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IlllfelJ-RIIIINVENTDR.

CHARLES B. HEBELER AGENT United States Patent Ofitice 3,052,352 PatentedSept. 4, 1962 3,052,352 MAGNETIC SELECTEON APPARATUS Charles B. Heheler,King of Prussia, Pa, assignor to Burroughs Corporation, Detroit, Mich, acorporation of Michigan Continuation of application Ser. No. 771,851,Nov. 4, 1958. This appiication Jan. 17, 1962, Ser. No. 166,963

25 Claims. (Cl. 209-44) This invention relates to automatic selectionapparatus and particularly to an improved high speed electromagneticallyactuated selector or diverter for use with equipment for processingrandomly arranged items in specified groups or sequences, andautomatically rearranging items in a specified order. This applicationis a continuation of application Serial No. 771,851, filed November 4,1958, now abandoned, in the name of Charles B. Hebeler, for MagneticSelection Apparatus.

It is known, in the operation of certain magnetic apparatus, that inorder to increase the speed and efiiciency of operation thereof, themagnetic forces employed must be increased, e.g., a larger magnet mustbe used to provide greater coercive force. Or, if the device is anelectromagnet, the current thereto must be increased thus increasingboth the coercive force and the magnetic reaction time, i.e., the timeit takes to magnetize and demagnetize the device. Adding to suchdifficulties in improving operational efficiency are certain physicaland mechanical limitations such as the increase in the size of themagnet structure and the disproportionately high current-ampere powerrequirements which tend to prevent complete realization of these desiredobjectives.

In magnetic selection apparatus wherein a plurality of chute formingblades having current carrying coils on one end thereof are disposed formovement in a magnetic field, increasing the current applied to thechute coils generally increases the heat generated thereby to aninordinate degree. In such apparatus, wherein small tolerances of movingparts and extremely confined areas are involved, dissipation of heat isa considerable problem.

To avoid having to increase the current appreciably, attempts have beenmade to utilize larger, more powerful magnets. However, the confinedphysical area of the equipment within which the apparatus must be housedconsiderably limits the size of the magnets which can be employedtherein. Consequently, with known techniques it has become increasinglydifficult to produce a more efficient and faster operating chuteselecting apparatus.

In addition to the foregoing problems of increasing the speed ofoperation of the magnetic chute selection apparatus while maintainingconstant or reducing the heat generated by the electrical parameters ofthe device, certain other problems present themselves.

One of these is an aerodynamic phenomenon which manifests itself aschute blade bounce occurring during selection of a chute, as blades aremoved into contact with other stationary blades. Another problem, alsoaerodynamic in origin, is the vacuum eitect manifested when a pluralityof relatively thin, flat surfaced members, such as chute blades, arestacked or bunched together during chute selection. In such cases thechute blade or blades selected for movement, sticks or adheres to otherchutes in the stack and drags one or more blades along with it for aslight distance as the selected blade or blades are moved. Both of theseconditions produce item missorts leading to additional sorting problemssuch as machine jamups, etc.

It is an important object of the present invention, therefore, toproduce a faster operating and more efiicient magnetic selectionapparatus which overcomes the foregoing problems in a simple and novelmanner.

It is an additional important object of this invention to provide anautomatic magnetic selection apparatus which overcomes the deleteriousaerodynamic efi'ects efliciently and inexpensively.

A further object of the invention is to provide an automatic high speedelectromagnetic chute selection apparatus wherein a portion of eachchute member is preformed or shaped to prevent adjacent members fromsticking together.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a novel chuteselecting coil capable of interaction with multiple magnetic fields.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel aerodynamicconstruction for a high speed chute selection apparatus which overcomesthe tendency for the chute blade to bounce when a plurality of suchmembers are stacked together during sorting.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel tri-polarmagnetic structure for increasing the speed of operation of the chuteselection apparatus without appreciably increasing the size of themagnets used therein or the amount of heat generated by the apparatus.

In accordance with the above objects the present invention comprises atleast two pairs of interacting magnetic fields having chute formingblades disposed therewith. Conductive current carrying means disposed oneach blade and forming part of a closed electrical circuit with eachblade being situated within and angularly related to the pairs ofmagnetic fields such that upon the application of electrical current tothe current carrying means a force is generated due to the interactionbetween the pairs of magnetic fields and the current carrying means soas to move the blades within the fields.

The novel features which are considered characteristic of the inventionare set forth with particularity in the appended claims, but for abetter understanding of the in vention itself, both as to itsorganization and method of operation together with other and furtherobjects and advantages thereof, reference may be had to the followingdescription of certain specific embodiments shown merely forillustration taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric view partially broken away, illustratingone form of the novel chute selection apparatus embodying the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 22 of FIG. 1 showing themagnet and chute blade coil arrangement thereof;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic top plan view of the device of FIG. 1 showingthe paths of the magnetic flux through the chute blades of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a portion of a chute forming bladeand associated magnet assembly illustrating the relative extent of thecoil with respect to I the magnet poles;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the forces exerted upon acurrent carrying conductor disposed in a magnetic field;

FIG. 6 is an exploded isometric diagrammatic view of a plurality ofconductors disposed perpendicularly to the magnetic field of a magnetstructure similar to that of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a schematic plan View of a magnet structure similar to that ofFIG. 6 partially broken away, illustrating the compression of themagnetic field due to the closeness of the magnet structure;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of one end of a chute forming bladeemploying a rectangular printed wiring coil thereon;

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of one end of a chute blade illustrating thenovel aerodynamic construction used therewith to prevent adherence ofone blade to another;

FIG. is a view similar to FIG. 9 but illustrating a different form ofblade end construction; and

FIG. 11 is an elevational view of a portion of still another chuteforming blade illustrating a novel conductive grid coil construction.

The present apparatus is a further development of apparatus describedand claimed in a copending US. patent application to Walter Hanstein,Serial No. 732,920, filed May 5, 1958, now abandoned, for a MagneticChute Selection Apparatus, and assigned to the same assignee as thepresent invention.

In general the magnetic structure of the present invention is designedto provide an automatic magentic selector apparatus for documentswherein four curvilinear, substantially W-shaped tri-polar magneticmembers are disposed in a relatively closely grouped array in whichupper and lower pairs of parallel magnetic members have their similarsouth-north-south pole faces arranged in confronting alignment formingupper and lower air gaps therebetween to produce interacting similarmagnetic fields. A plurality of parallel chute forming blade members aredisposed for side to side movement within each of said air gaps betweenoppositely disposed pairs of side wall members also located within theair gaps. Rigid document restricting throat members situated forward ofthe leading ends of the chute forming blades form a passageway leadingto the chutes. The free end of each blade is provided with an ellipticalor ovoidal shaped electrically conducting means in the form of a coilattached to one side surface thereof and provided with means extendingalong the blade a short distance for interconnection of each of thecoils into a source of electrical control current. Each coil is ofsufficient length to extend between opposed similar pairs of magneticfields. The coil carrying end of each blade is further provided withmeans for reducing the aerodynamic vacuum or drag between blade endswhen a blade is selectively moved. The latter means also acts to reducethe blade bounce due to the compressive force of the air which isexpelled from between blades when a number of them are compactedtogether during a chute selecting operation. It is to be understood thatother and different type construction and configuration of the magneticmembers could be substituted for those herein described within thepurview of the present invention.

Set forth hereinafter are certain definitions and terminology employedherein to explain certain observable magnetic phenomena and whichaffords a fuller understanding of the operation of the presentinvention.

Magnetic field.The condition of the portion of space surrounding amagnetic body (or a body carrying a current) in which the magneticforces due to the body (or the current) are sensible and can bedetected.

Magnetic force.-The force of attraction or repulsion experienced by amagnetic body.

Magnetic flwc.-The total amount of magnetic induction across or througha given surface or member.

Lines of force.A magnetic field is conveniently considered as beingcomposed of individual lines of force. The lines as such have no actualexistence but serve simply as descriptive aids.

Direction of fiela'.The lines of force comprising a field are not inmotion if the source of the field is at rest. However, since a magneticcompass will always point in a given direction when placed in a magneticfield, field direction is arbitrarily defined as the path that anisolated north pole follows under the influence of the magnetic forcesNorth and south poles.A north pole is defined as that end of a magnetfrom which the lines of force emerge into the air; in contrast, a southpole is that end of a magnet into which the lines of force re-enter themagnet. The lines of force have certain definite properties as follows:lines of force never cross each other; lines having the same arbitrarydirection and lying adjacent each other repel each other; lines of forceare under tension, and, like stretched rubber bands, tend to contract tothe shortest possible length. Lines having different or oppositedirections appear to attract each other. If these oppositely directedlines originate in two different magnetic bodies, the mutual attractionof the lines results in mutual attraction of the bodies.

Referring first to FIG. 5, for convenience of explanation, it is seenthat whenever an electrical conductor 10, constituting part of a closedelectrical circuit (the re.- mainder of the circuit being omitted) isdisposed in a magnetic field, provided by magnets 12 and 14, and is notparallel to the flux 15, and is carrying an electrical current, a forceis exerted upon the conductor which tends to move the latter side-waysthrough the field in the direction of the arrows 16. In order todetermine the direction of the force on such a conductor, the so-calledleft hand rule can be used. If the thumb and first two fingers of theleft hand are held perpendicular to one another, the forefinger pointingin the direction of the flux, the middle finger pointing in thedirection in which the current flows in the conductor, then the thumbwill point in the direction in which the force tends to move theconductor in the field. It is at once apparent that changing the currentdirection through the conductor reverses the direction of the forceoperable on the conductor. The amount of the force at right angles tothe current has been found experimentally to be proportional to thecurrent flux density, proportional to the current flowing in theconductor and proportional to the projection of the active length of theconductor perpendicular to the field. If the conductor is perpendicularto the field, the last factor becomes simply the length of the conductorin the field. See Principles of Electrical Engineering, Timbie and Bush,4th edition, page 352.

In FIGS. 6 and 7, two curvilinear, double U or yoke shaped magneticmembers lit-18 are each provided with alternate north and south poles 20and 22 respectively, disposed in a tri-polar configuration, as shown. Acentral north pole 20 is disposed intermediate two south poles 22-42 ofeach magnet 18-18. The magnetic lines of force represented schematicallyby the dotted lines 24, emerge from the central north magnetic polespread out into the space and re-enter the south pole of the magneticmember 18.

If means is provided for representing the field pattern developed by thelines of force emerging from the north pole and entering the south poleof the magnet, it is at once apparent with respect to the leftwardportion of FIG. 7, that such flux field tends to form a rather elongatedhorse-shoe or balloon-like configuration and that the flux density isrelatively weak since the flux must necessarily move through a highreluctance path, namely the air. In order to provide a more concentratedflux field, it is proposed to provide four such magnets in pairs, eachpair of which is disposed with its poles in confronting re lation as thetwo shown, thus pairs of south poles are disposed opposite each otherwhile pairs of north poles are disposed opposite each other. In thisfashion, as is shown in FIG. 3 and in the rightward portion of FIG. 7,the magnetic field is flattened and concentrated. The flux density maybe considerably increased by such compacting or compressing of themagnetic lines of force. In the present invention this is accomplishedas seen at the right of FIG. 7, by positioning the second magneticmember 18' quite close to the magnet 18. Since the lines of force do notcross one another and since like fields repel each other it is apparentthat a flattening or compressive effect is manifested when oppositelydisposed similar lines of force are brought into close proximity withone another. This tends to warp or bend the flux lines from a freeradiating balloon-like shape into a series of substantially straightline components as shown at 24. The magnetic flux density is thussubstantially increased. It is apparent from the foregoing that theproblems of increasing the magnetic flux density provided by a magnetwithout inordinately increasing its size has been solved in a novelmanner.

With the tri-polar configuration of each magnet of the presentinvention, two sets of interacting similar magnetic fields are providedby each pair of magnets. And, since the two fields operate on two endsof each coil, substantially twice the force is exerted upon thechuteblade coils disposed therebetween as can be produced by a singlemagnetic field of comparable size.

Since the current carrying conductor by definition must be positionedother than parallel, e.g., perpendicularly, to the magnetic flux inorder for the forces to be generated to move it, if the conductor ofP16. 5 is fabricated as a loop 26, as shown in FIG. 6, wherein the endportions 28 and 28' are substantially straight line components, then, byintroducing this loop into the interacting magnetic fields between themagnets 18 and 18' advantage can be taken of the dual magnetic fieldsand a substantially increased force thereby provided to move the loopsideways in the fields at a much faster rate. Since the opposite ends ofthe loop or coil 26 extend Within two different magnetic fieldsapproximately twice the flux is made available to move the loop. Thus anincrease in speed (sidewise movement) is obtained with little or noincrease in the current which must be applied to the loop. By changingthe direction of the current applied thereto the loop can be made tomove back and forth between the confronting magnetic poles at will.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-4 of the drawings, there is shown a preferredembodiment of one form of the improved magnetic chute selectionapparatus of the present invention. Upper and lower pairs of tri-polarmagnetic members 3030 and 3232' are disposed in parallel arrangementwith their like poles in confronting relationship forming upper andlower air gaps therebetween with each pair of magnets arranged one ontop of the other as shown rnost clearly in FIG. 2. In the explodedisometric View of FIG. I, the two pairs of magnets are shownhorizontally separated by a considerable distance simply for clarity. Inactual practice, in order to compress the magnetic field, as earlierexplained, the magnets are disposed relatively close togther as in thetop plan view of FIG. 3.

Within the air gap provided by the confronting magnetic north and southpoles of the stacked magnets are located two pairs of oppositelydisposed side wall members 34-34, one wall member being disposed on eachside of each air gap thereby forming an upper and lower relativelynarrow passageway extending rightwardly as as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 3,past the magnet assembly. An upper and lower pair of substantially fiatparallel members 3636' (FIG. 3) are located between the two leftwardpair of south poles of the magnet assembly and together these membersform a document or item restricting throat opening into the air gappassageway between wall members 3434.

Positioned in the air gap between similar sets of magnetic north andsouth poles are a plurality of vanes or blades 3S38' forming the forwardentering portions of the upper and lower groups of chute formingmembers. Upper and lower chute members of each group are of varyingextent and terminate at their rightward ends in document receivinghoppers or bins, not shown. For purposes of clarity, only one upper andone lower blade or vane is shown in FIG. 1, it being understood that alarger number of such vanes may be located in the gaps between the twosets of magnets. Each of the vanes 38-38 is constructed of relativelythin, resilient, flexible, nonmagnetic material such as, for example,beryllium copper and is capable of quickly flexing from 6 side to sidewithin the air gaps of the magnet structure without undue fatigue.

Carried on the free end portion of each vane 3838' is a means forestablishing a magnetic field therearound. For this purpose a pluralityof electrical conductors are arranged on the vane in the form of a coil40 so that when electrical current is flowing therethrough reactiveforces may be produced thereby to cause the blade end to move, as willbe described hereinafter. The opposite ends of the coil on each vane areconnected to conducting leads 42-42 extending longitudinally of the vaneaway from the free end thereof and terminating respectively in separateterminals 44-44 projecting from one edge of each vane, as shown.

The electrical coils and conductors are insulatingly mounted upon orincorporated in the vane and are adapted to lie substantially flush withthe surface thereof. Each coil may be elongated or elliptically shapedas shown in FIG. 4, or may take other and varied shapes as hereinafterdescribed. In this manner a major portion of the leading and trailingvertical components 4646 (FIG. 4) of each coil may react within bothpairs of magnetic fields set up between each pair of magnetic members,as shown most clearly in FIG. 3. Depending on the direction of thecurrent flow through the coil 46, the coil and thus the chute selectorblade to which the coil has been secured will move back and forthbetween the confronting poles of the magnets. Thus, for example, if thecurrent flow is counterclockwise, as shown in FIG. 1, the blades 38*38will move away from the observer. Conversely, if the electrical currentis reversed, the blades will be caused to move toward the observer. Itis to be noted that it is the components 46 and 46' of the current fieldthrough the coil which are angularly disposed and substantiallyperpendicular to the horizontally extending magnetic field that providesthe force causing the blade or vane to move. The arcuate or straightline conductors, as the case may be, interconnecting the perpendicularportions of the coil, provide means to circulate the current through thecoil.

From the foregoing it is apparent that the speed of operation of themagnetic chute selection apparatus can be substantially increased overthat described and claimed in the earlier mentioned Hanstein applicationwithout any appreciable increase in the current applied to the coil.Thus the heat generated between the coils and magnets is maintainedrelatively constant. Also, by utilizing a plurality of tri-polar magnetstructures the size of the magnets is kept relatively small whileincreasing the total effective flux produced thereby.

In order to prevent dog-cared, wrinkled or otherwise deformed documentsfrom being trapped or caught on the coil or on the edges or ends of theblades themselves, each of the chute blade coils is covered, as will bedescribed in detail later on, with a dielectric ma terial 51 (FIG. 10)which is adhered to the blade end in any well known manner. Thiscovering material provides an even, regular, rfiat overlying surface forthe coil carrying end of the blade and thus avoids the aforementioneddamage to sorted documents.

The chute selector blades, which may, for example, be made of berylliumcopper approximately .003 of an inch thick, are, when at rest, generallyloosely grouped together in a bunch. Movement of one or more blades fromside to side within the air gap tends to cause them to reactaerodynamically with each other like thin sheets of paper. For example,when a blade is moved away from the stack, the iu-rush of air to fillthe hiatus created by the sudden absence of the blade produces avacuum-like effect which tends to drag along some one or more of theremaining blades together with the selected blade for a short distance.Such random blade movement tends to open more than one of the chutesthus causing misselection of the chutes with the attendant missorting ofdocuments. Conversely, when a blade or a number of blades are movedtogether, from one side of the air gap to the other side, and intocontact either with other stationary blades or the side wall member, theambient air which normally lies between each blade face tends to bequickly compressed causing the blade or blades to bounce back and forthbefore finally coming to rest. The chute blade may even bounce back intothe path of an incoming document thus producing a document missort.

In order to avoid such chute misselection, the construction of FIGS. 9and 10 may be utilized. It is understood, of course, that other anddifferent constructions may be utilized. in FIG. 9, for example, the end48 of the chute blade 50 is coated or covered with dielectric material51 having a plurality of projections 52 shaped thereon. Theseprojections tend to restrain or prevent the adjacent pairs of chuteselector blades from nesting together in too close parallel face to facerelation. Also the ambient air is permitted to circulate between theadjacent faces of each pair of blades. Thus when high speed chuteselection is being performed the aerodynamic effect, i.e., suction, ispractically mullified since air can be drawn in between blade facesquite easily so that one blade does not have a tendency to dragadditional blades with it as it moves back and forth through the air gapbetween the magnets. The projections as shown in FIG. 9 can be formed aslands 52 and grooves 54 by introducing the blade end between suitabledies and subjecting the dielectrically covered end to regulated heat andpressure. while increasing the planar thickness of the blade end by anegligible amount permits the desired degree of air circulation andprevents both the objectionable blade bounce as well as the adherence orsticking, herein earlier referred to.

FIG. 10 illustrates an additional modification of the blade end coveringwherein a plurality of irregularly shaped projections 56 are formedthereon which are shown regularly spaced apart from one another.However, it is apparent that the projections may be randomly arranged toproduce the same result as the configuration of FIG. 9.

It is noted in both instances, FIGS. 9 and 10*, the side wall members5858' are also provided with projections, e.g., lands and grooves. It isto be understood that the shape and arrangement of the projections mayvary with the apparatus. Due to the foregoing configuration of the bladeends and side walls, air is easily circulated between blades as well asbetween blade ends and side wall. Thus, the smooth side surfaces of oneblade will not directly rest against the side of the next adjacent bladeor side wall, as the case may be, but will be in contact withprojections thereon. In this manner the ambient air can circulate quitefreely between the projections and the blade or wall faces.

It was earlier seen with regard to the apparatus of FIGS. 5, 6 and 7,that the chute blade coil utilizes the effects produced by thesubstantially perpendicular or vertical component of the coil reactingwith the horizontally projected magnetic field produced by the tri-polarmagnets to produce the forces which move the chute selectors to and fro.

Another and desirable coil configuration for use with the presentinvention is a type of configuration wherein the useful force-producingvertical component is at least equal to or, if possible, greater thanthe horizontal component. A rectangular or square coil tends to meetthese requirements.

The coil 60 of FIG. 8 represents a printed wiring as sembly in which theconductors 62 are etched fro-m a material such, for example, as copper,after which the etched coil is adhered to a beryllium copper chute blade64 by means of a suitable adhesive having the desired dielectricproperties. In this manner the conductors 62 are electrically insulatedfrom the conductive chute blade The resulting configuration material.The coil is suitably covered with dielectric material (not shown) forthe purpose earlier referred to herein. Electrical energizing current isapplied to the coil 60 over the conductive leads 66-66 in the directionsof the arrows 68 from a source not shown.

A structural coil configuration providing substantially only verticalcomponents for reaction with the tri-polar magnetic fields of thepresent invention is provided by the construction shown in FIG. 11. Thegroups of conductive elements 72 formed as grids 74 and 74 areinsulatingly disposed on a chute blade end 76. Each of the grids iselectrically insulated from the blade end, unless of course the blade isof dielectric material in which case electrical insulation isunnecessary. In order that the direction of the energizing current maybe properly oriented with respect to each of the grids to provide forproper operation within the magnetic fields aforedescribed, a conductivecrossover member, the arms 7378' of which are electrically insulated onefrom the other, interconnect the elements 72 of each grid. It isapparent that with a plurality of blades carrying the abovedescribedgrid configuration thereon disposed within the multiple magnetic fieldsprovided by the novel magnet structure of the present invention, thatsubstantially all of the current carrying conductors are located atright angles to such magnetic fields. Thus an electrical current appliedto the grids of each blade in the direction of arrows 8% will produce anexceedingly high coercive or moving force causing the chute blades totraverse the air gap between the magnets at an extremely high rate ofspeed.

It is possible to avoid much of the aerodynamic vacuum and compressioneifects earlier referred to by means of aperture 182 strategicallydisposed in the chute blade end. In this manner the air compressedbetween the selected blade and the other blades or the side wall ispermitted to escape as the blades are rapidly moved from one side of theair gap to the other during chute selection. The boundaries or rims ofthe apertures preferably are highly polished and are so located withrespect to the blade end as to prevent the documents, which in somecases may be slightly deformed, dog-cared, torn, etc., from hanging upor engaging therein and jamming the equipment.

In a sorting operation, referring to FIG. 1, documents 34, such aschecks, are first passed, by means not shown, before a transducer orread head 86. Magnetizable character indicia, such as the numbersindicated by the reference numeral 92 on each check, generate anelectrical signal as the check is passed under the read head 86.

The signal output from the read head is passed over the conductors 88 toa character recognition device 90 which is provided with means fordetermining which character of a number of known characters is beingsensed. The character recognition device produces a selective outputsignal indicative of the detected characters which signal is forwardedover conductors 94 to the magnetic chute selector apparatus '96. Themagnetic chute selector automatically selects one pair of chute bladecoils 40 to receive electrical current of the proper polarity. Thecurrent is fed from the selector 96 to the coils 40 over conductors 98.In a continuous feeding operation the check is then transported by meansof the feed rollers 100 into the throat opening provided between theselected chute blades and the remaining blades for further transportinto a hopper or bin, not shown. Since the chute blades operate in pairsand the coils on each chute blade end are designed and configured topermit the coil to operate within two sets of magnetic fields, thesorting speed which can be obtained with relatively low current and arelatively small size magnet is extremely high, being on the order of400 inches per second.

In the present embodiment of the invention the electrical circuits forcontrolling the chute selection operation and the manner and means forenergizing these controls are substantially identical to those set forthin the hereinbefore mentioned patent application of Walter Hanstein,Serial No. 732,920.

What is claimed is:

1. A magnetic selection apparatus comprising, means establishing atleast two pairs of interacting magnetic fields, a movable selectorelement disposed within said fields, electrical current conductive meanscarried by said selector element adapted to form part of a closedelectrical circuit for establishing a magnetic field associated withsaid element, said current conductive means being disposed within andangularly related to said interacting magnetic fields, and means forapplying electrical current to said current conductive means whereby amoving force is generated due to the interaction of the magnetic fieldcreated by the current in said current conductive means and saidinteracting magnetic fields causing said selector element to move withinsaid fields.

2. Magnetic chute selection apparatus comprising, in combination, meansestablishing at least two pairs of interacting magnetic fields, a chuteforming blade disposed within said fields, electrical current conductivemeans carried by said blade adapted to form a part of a closedelectrical circuit and when energized establishing a magnetic fieldassociated with the blade, said current conductive means being disposedwithin and angularly related to said magnetic fields, and means forapplying electrical current to said current conductive means whereby aforce is generated due to the interaction between the magnetic fieldproduced by the flow of current through said current conductive meansand said interacting magnetic fields so as to cause said blade to movesideways within said fields.

3. In a magnetic chute selection apparatus the combination comprising, aplurality of magnetic members defining an air gap, each of said membersbeing provided with an odd number of magnetic poles, said magneticmembers being disposed with like poles in confronting relationshipthereby establishing a plurality of interacting magnetic fieldstherebetween, a plurailty of flexible chute forming blades disposedwithin said air gap, electrically conductive means carried by the end ofeach blade for establishing a magnetic field adjacent thereto, saidconductive means extending between and being 'operatively located insaid magnetic fields, and means to apply an electrical current to saidconductive means to thereby establish a force between said blade endsand said magnetic members as a result of the interaction between themagnetic fields established on the blade ends and the magnetic fieldsestablished by said magnetic members for moving said blades within saidmagnetic fields.

4. In a magnetic chute selection apparatus, the combination comprising,a pair of tripolar yoke shaped magnetic members each having alternatemagnetic north and south poles, said members being disposed with theirlike poles in confronting relationship forming an air gap therebetweento thereby establish similar multiple magnetic fields within said airgap, a plurality of chute forming members disposed in side by siderelationship with their free ends within said air gap, electricallyconductive means on the free end of each of said chute forming memberswith at least a portion of said conductive means located substantiallyperpendicularly of said magnetic fields, and means to apply electricalcurrent to the conductive means of a selected chute member whereby aforce is established on the selected member by the interaction of themagnetic field produced by said conductive means and the magnetic fieldsproduced by said magnetic members so as to move said member within saidmagnetic fields.

5. A chute gate for a multiple magnetic chute selector devicecomprising, a pair of W-shaped magnets having their similar magneticpoles in confronting relation forming an air gap therebetween andestablishing horizontally extending similar magnetic fields betweenthem, a plurality of aligned chute forming blades of non-magneticmaterial arranged with adjacent free ends in face to face relation insaid magnetic fields, means on said free end of each blade adapted toselectively establish a desired magnetic field about said blade end, themeans on each said blade end being substantially perpendicular to thefield between said magnet poles, and means for polarizing said means oneach said blade end whereby a selected one or more of said blades may bemoved in the direction of opposite field polarization of said magnetsthereby to form a chute opening between the blades.

6. A document chute gate for a multiple chute device comprising, a pairof curvilinear magnets each one of which is provided With multiplemagnetic poles, said magnets having their similar poles arranged inconfronting relation forming an air gap therebetween and establishinghorizontally extending opposing fields between them, means disposedwithin said air gap adjacent to and coextensive with said poles forminga document receiving throat, the confronting surfaces of said meansforming said throat being provided with a plurality of projections, aplurality of aligned flexible chute forming blades of non-magneticmaterial arranged with adjacent ends in face to face relation withinsaid throat in said magnetic fields, means on a free end of each bladeadapted to establish a magnetic field about said blade end, the fieldabout each blade end being substantially perpendicular to the fieldsbetween said magnet poles, dielectric, non-magnetic material overlyingone side surface of each of said blade ends and also being provided withprojections, and means for polarizing said means on said blade endswhereby a selected one or more of said blades may be moved in thedirection of opposite field polarization of said magnets thereby to forma document receiving opening between said blades.

7. In a magnetic chute selection apparatus, the combination comprising,a pair of magnetic members, each one of said members being shaped toprovide a plurality of individual magnetic poles and individual magneticfields aligned with the direction of the chute, the like poles of saidpair of magnetic members being disposed in confronting face to facerelationship providing an air gap therebetween thereby establishing aplurality of opposed magnetic fields the lines of force of which areeffectively additive, a plurality of chute forming blades disposed withthe free end of each blade within said air gap, an elliptically shapedelectrically conductive member on each blade end, each conductive memberhaving a certain component thereof substantially perpendicularlydisposed with respect to the magnetic fields within which they aresituated, means applying a control current to said conductive members,whereby a magnetic force is generated reacting with the opposed magneticfields of said magnetic members and responsive to the additive effect ofthe opposed magnetic fields for moving said blade ends within themagnetic fields.

8. In a magnetic chute selection apparatus for documents, thecombination comprising, a first pair of tripolar magnetic membersestablishing a plurality of magnetic fields therebetween, a second pairof tripolar magnetic members establishing a like plurality of magneticfields therebetween, said first and second pairs of magnetic membersbeing disposed in parallel side by side relationship to form a documentreceiving throat therebetween and arranged with like poles opposite toone another so as to compress said magnetic fields into substantiallystraight line components, a plurality of chute forming blades disposedfor sidewise movement between each of said pairs of magnetic members andwithin the magnetic fields thereof adjacent said throat, an electricalcoil carried by the end of each blade, a portion of the coil of eachblade end lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to the straightline components of said magnetic fields within which the coil islocated, and means connecting the coil of each blade end to a source ofelectrical control current thereby to produce a force reacting with the1 i fields of the pair of magnetic members between which it is disposedand moving the blade within said magnetic fields to selectively opensaid throat for the reception therein of a document.

9. In a chute selection apparatus the combination comprising, aplurality of magnetic members, each of said magnetic members beingprovided with a number of spaced apart magnetic north and south poles,said magnetic members being disposed with like poles in confrontingrelationship thereby establishing a plurality of interacting magneticfields and defining a relatively narrow air gap therebctween, aplurality of flexible chute forming blades disposed within said air gap,one surface of each of said blades being provided with a dielectricmaterial forming a plurality of projections thereon, said projectionsproviding means constraining said blades in spaced apart relationshipwhile permitting the compressive release of air from between confrontingblade surfaces when said blades are moved together into stackedrelationship, electrically conductive means carried by each blade, saidconductive means extending between and interacting with said magneticfields when electrically energized, and means to apply an electricalcurrent to said conductive means whereby a force is established betweensaid blades and said ma netic fields for moving said blades Within saidmagnetic fields.

10. In a magnetic chute selection apparatus, the combination comprising,a pair of yoke shaped magnetic members each having poles of alternatepolarity, said members being disposed with their like poles inconfronting relationship to form an air gap therebetween therebyestablishing multiple magnetic fields within said air gap, a pluralityof chute forming members disposed in side by side relationship withtheir free ends in said air gap, electrioally conductive means on thefree end of each of said chute forming members with at least a portionof said conductive means located substantially perpendicularly throughsaid magnetic fields, non-conductive means on the surface of each freeend and being coextensive with said electrically conductive means andforming lands and grooves thereon providing means for separating thefree end of one chute member from its next adjacent parallel chuteforming member, and means to apply electrical current to the conductivemeans of a selected one or more chute forming members whereby a force isestablished on the ends of the selected one or more members by theinteraction of electrical current applied to the conductive means andthe magnetic fields so as to move said one or more members within saidmagnetic fields.

ll. In a magnetic chute selection apparatus, the combination comprising,a plurality of magnetic means each having poles of alternate polarityand establishing multiple parallel magnetic fields, said means beingdisposed in confronting relationship to form an air gap therebetween, aflexible chute forming member disposed in said air gap for movementperpendicularly through said fields, a plurality of electricallyconductive grid-like elements disposed in groups on said chute formingmember, said groups of grid-like elements being coextensive with saidmagnetic fields, means to electrically interconnect said groups ofelements for electrical energization in opposite directions, and meanselectrically controllably energizing said electrically conductiveelements whereby to cause said chute forming member to move in responseto the interaction between the magnetic fields and the forces generateddue to the energization of said conductive elements.

12. In a magnetic chute selection apparatus, the combination comprising,a plurality of magnetic means each having poles of alternate polarityand establishing multiple parallel magnetic fields, said means beingdisposed in confronting relationship to form an air gap therebetween, aflexible chute forming member disposed in said air gap for movementperpendicularly through said fields, a plurality of electricallyconductive grid-like elements disposed in groups on said chute formingmember, said groups of grid-like elements being coextensive with saidmagnetic fields, means to electrically interconnect said groups ofelements for electrical energization in opposite directions, said chuteforming member being provided with a plurality of apertures permittingambient air to escape from between the member and the means establishingsaid magnetic fields when the member is moved thereagainst, and meanselectrically controllably energizing said electrically conductiveelements whereby to cause said chute forming member to move in responseto the interaction between the magnetic fields and the forces developedin response to the energization of said conductive elements.

13. A multiple chute device comprising, means establishing at least twointeracting opposed magnetic fields, a chute forming blade disposed insaid fields, a plurality of projections disposed on said blade, each ofsaid projections providing means for spacing said blade away from saidmeans establishing said magnetic field permitting the circulation ofambient air therebetween, electrical current conductive means carried bysaid blade and adapted to form part of a closed electrical circuit forestablishing a magnetic field associated with said blade, at least aportion of said current conducting means being disposed at right anglesto said opposed magnetic fields, and means for applying electricalcurrent to said current conducting means whereby a force is generatedbetween said current conducting means and said opposed fields so as tocause said blade to move sideways within said fields.

14. In a magnetic chute selection apparatus, the combination comprising,a plurality of magnetic means having alternately arranged south, northand south poles and establishing multiple parallel magnetic fieldstherebetween, said magnetic means being disposed in confrontingrelationship to form an air gap, a flexible chute forming memberdisposed in said air gap for movement perpendicularly of said magneticfields, electrically conductive means carried by said chute formingmember and being coextensive with said fields, and electricallycontrollable means for energizing said electrically conductive means andthereby to cause said chute forming member to move within said air gapin response to the forces produced by the interaction between themagnetic fields and the magnetic field generated as a result of theenergization of said conductive means.

15. In a magnetic chute selection apparatus for sorting documents thecombination, comprising, a first pair of magnetic members havingmultiple poles establishing a plurality of magnetic fields therebetween,a second pair of magnetic members having mul-tipie poles establishing alike plurality of magnetic fields therebetween, said first and secondpairs of magnetic members being disposed with their like poles inparallel opposed relationship forming a document receiving throattherebetween, a plurality of chute forming blades disposed for sidewisemovement within said fields adjacent said throat, each of said bladesbeing provided on one surface thereof with a rectangularly shapedcurrent carrying conductive means including individual conductors, amajor portion of said conductors being disposed in a plane substantiallyperpendicular to the magnetic fields Within which said blade is located,and means connecting the conductors of each blade to a source ofelectrical control current, means to energize said conductors whereby toproduce magnetic forces which react with said magnetic fields and causethe blades to move within said magnetic fields to open a chute for thereception therein of a document from said throat.

16. In a magnetic chute selection apparatus the combination comprising,upper and lower parallel pairs of magnetic members, each one of saidmembers being shaped to provide at least three individual magnetic polesaligned with the direction of the chute, like poles of each pair ofmagnetic members being disposed in confronting face to face relationproviding an air gap therebetween and establishing a plurality ofopposing magnetic fields in the air gap, a plurality of chute formingblades each having a free end disposed in the air gap between each pairof magnetic members, electrical conductors on each blade end, certain ofsaid conductors having components thereof substantially perpendicularlyarranged with respect to the magnetic fields within which they aresituated, and means applying a control current to said conductorswhereby a force is generated for reaction with said opposing magneticfields for moving said blade ends within said magnetic fields.

17. In a magnetic selection apparatus, a selector member of non-magneticmaterial adapted to be secured at one end and to have the opposite endfree to move within a magnetic field, an electrical coil carried on thefree end of the member for reaction with the magnetic field, anddielectric means on said member enclosing said coil, said dielectricmeans being shaped to form a plurality of projections thereon.

18. The magnetic selection apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein theprojections take the form of spaced, parallel ridges.

19. In a magnetic selection apparatus, a selector member of non-magneticmaterial adapted to be secured at one end and to have the opposite endfree to move within a magnetic field, an electrical coil carried on thefree end of the member for reaction with the magnetic field, said memberhaving one or more apertures extending through the free end from oneside to the other side thereof to permit the passage of air therethroughduring movement of the free end of the selector member.

20. An automatic mag-netic chute selection apparatus for use with adocument sorter wherein documents are selectively moved at high speedinto receiving hoppers of bins, comprising, a first pair of tri-polarmagnetic members, a second pair of tri-polar magnetic members, each ofsaid pairs of magnetic members having alternate southnorth-sout-h polesbeing disposed with like poles in confronting relationship, said pairsof magnetic members thereby forming an upper and lower aligned air gaptherebetween and providing multiple pairs of similar interactingmagnetic fields, a first plurality of chute forming members disposed insaid upper air gap, a second plurality of chute forming members disposedin said lower air gap, electrically conducting means carried on each ofsaid chute forming members, portions of each electrically conductivemeans extending into said multiple magnetic fields, and meansselectively energizing each electrically conductive means to therebyestablish a magnetic field around said electrically conductive means forinteraction with the magnetic fields of said magnetic members wherebyforces are developed due to the interaction for moving selected bladesWithin said fields to provide an opening for the passage therethrough ofa document.

21. High speed chute selection apparatus including, in combination, apair of magnetic members arranged in parallel slightly spaced apartrelationship forming an elongated air gap therebetween, said magneticmembers being so shaped as to provide a pair of opposing magnetic fieldsin one section of the air gap and a second pair of opposing magneticfields in another section of the air gap, an assembly of chute formingblades, each chute blade having a free end portion extending into theair gap longitudinally thereof and through both pairs of opposingmagnetic fields, and an electrical coil carried by the free end portionof each blade and mounted thereby so that diametrically oppositeportions of the coil are located one in each of said pairs of opposingmagnetic fields.

22.. High speed chute selection apparatus including, in combination, apair of magnetic members arranged in parallel slightly spaced apartrelationship forming an elongated air gap therebetween, said magneticmembers being so shaped as to provide a pair of opposing magnetic fieldsin one section of the air gap and a second pair of opposing magneticfields in another section of the air gap, an assembly of chute formingblades, each chute blade having a free, end portion extending into theair gap longitudinally thereof and through both pairs of opposingmagnetic fields, an electrical coil carried by the free end portion ofeach blade and mounted thereby so that diametrically opposite portionsof the coil are located one in each of said pairs of opposing magneticfields, and a surface discontinuity on a face of the free end portion ofeach blade to provide a slight air space between the confronting facesof the free end portions.

23. High speed chute selection apparatus including, in combination, apair of magnetic members arranged in parallel slightly spaced apartrelationship forming an elongated air gap therebetween, said magneticmembers being so shaped as to provide a pair of opposing magnetic fieldsin one section of the air gap and a second pair of opposing magneticfields in another section of the air gap, an assembly of chute formingblades, each chute blade having a free end portion extending into theair gap longitudinally thereof and through both pairs of opposingmagnetic fields, an electrical coil carried by the .free end portion ofeach blade and mounted thereby so that diametrically opposite portionsof the coil are located one in each of said pairs of opposing magneticfields, circuit mean-s for delivering elec trical current individuallyto said coils for flow therethrough, and means for exercising controlover said circuit means and operable to direct current to the coils ofone group of adjacent blade end portions for flow therethrough in onedirection and at the same time to the coils of another group of adjacentblade end portions for flow therethrough in the opposite directionwhereby the resulting magnetic reaction between the magnetic fieldsgenerated by the coils and the pairs of opposing magnetic fields causesthe free end sections of the two groups oi blades to separate and form achute opening therebetween.

24. In a magnetic chute selection apparatus, the combination comprising,a plurality of chute forming blades, a pair of magnetic members, eachone of said members being shaped to provide at least three individualmagnetic poles aligned with the direction of the chute, the like polesof each pair oi magnetic members being disposed in confronting face toface relationship to provide an air gap therebetween and to establishpairs of opposing magnetic fields each in a separate area of the airgap, the magnetic lines of force of which are virtually straight linefor an appreciable distance between the poles of the magnetic members,the chute forming blades each having a flexible free end in said airgap, an electrical coil on each blade end, each coil having componentportions perpendicularly disposed within the straight line portions ofthe pairs of opposing magnetic fields, means supplying electricalcurrent to the coils of the blades for generating magnetic fieldsassociated with the free ends of the blades which react with the pairsof opposing magnetic fields of said magnetic members to move the bladeends within the magnetic fields.

25. In a magnetic chute selection apparatus for documents, thecombination comprising, a pair of magnetic members disposed in parallelside by side relationship to form a document receiving throattherebetween, each of said magnetic members having more than two polesand arranged opposite the other member with like poles confronting oneanother so as to establish at least two pairs of opposing magneticfields therebetween having the fiux lines thereotf extendingsubstantially straight between the poles of the magnetic members, anassembly of chute blades disposed for sidewise movement in the throatbetween said pair of magnetic members and within the pairs of opposingmagnetic fields thereof, an electrical coil carr-ied by each blade,diametric opposite portions of the coil of each blade being locatedwithin and extending substantially perpendicular to the straight fluxline components of each of said pairs of opposing magnetic fields, means15 16 for connecting the coils of the blades to a source of elecopeningbetween the blades for the reception therein of a trical current forproducing a magnetic field associated oc men with each blade whichreacts with the opposing fields of the magnetic members, and means forcontrolling the flow References Cited In the file of this patent ofcurrent to the coils for causing selective movement of 5 UNITED STATESPATENTS the blades within said magnetic fields to form a chute 505 04Lokker May 9 1950

